From 566192d18ab3fd47b6795a0b5bf106963832d66e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Rajakaruna mudiyanselage sachin kanishka sandaruwan
 <134910701+sachinkanishka@users.noreply.github.com>
Date: Sun, 12 Oct 2025 19:08:32 +0530
Subject: [PATCH] docs: add comprehensive and welcoming HACKTOBERFEST.md to
 guide new contributors

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 HACKTOBERFEST.md | 68 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 1 file changed, 68 insertions(+)
 create mode 100644 HACKTOBERFEST.md

diff --git a/HACKTOBERFEST.md b/HACKTOBERFEST.md
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+🎉 Welcome Hacktoberfest Contributors!
+
+    We’re excited to welcome you to Hacktoberfest and thank you for stopping by the Awesome ArcGIS Developers repository!
+
+    This project is a community-driven collection of high-quality resources for developers working with ArcGIS products - APIs, SDKs, tools, and learning materials. It aims to help both beginners and experienced GIS developers discover and share valuable tools for mapping, spatial analysis, and geospatial development.
+
+ ---   
+
+💡 What You Can Contribute?
+
+    Your contributions make this list better for everyone. During Hacktoberfest, you can help by:
+
+        🧩 Adding new resources – If you find a useful SDK, library, or example not yet listed, add it.
+        ✏️ Improving descriptions – Make short descriptions clearer or more concise while keeping them accurate.
+        🧭 Fixing broken links – Replace or update any outdated or broken resource links.
+        🧹 Organizing and formatting – Ensure alphabetical order, consistent style, and clean markdown formatting.
+        📖 Improving documentation – Suggest category improvements, better naming, or missing tools that help ArcGIS developers.
+
+    Every improvement - big or small - adds real value.
+
+---
+
+🧭 How to Get Started?
+
+    1. Fork this repository to your GitHub account.
+    2. Create a new branch for your changes. Use a clear name, like add-new-arcgis-sdk or fix-broken-links.
+    3. Make your edits following the rules in the CONTRIBUTING.md file.
+    4. Commit your changes with a clear message.
+            feat: add ArcGIS new JavaScript SDK example under APIs and SDKs
+                Keep your message concise and descriptive.
+    5. Run the linter before submitting:
+            npm run lint
+    6. Open a Pull Request (PR) – briefly explain what you changed and why it helps the community.
+    7. Wait for review, engage in discussion, and celebrate when it’s merged!
+
+---
+
+🧠 Contribution Tips
+
+    Follow the existing structure and alphabetical order of categories.
+    Use consistent markdown style: [Resource Name](link) - Description.
+    Avoid duplicates and unnecessary repetition.
+    Keep descriptions short, accurate, and neutral.
+    Focus on open, accessible, or freemium resources whenever possible.
+
+    Quality and clarity matter more than quantity. Good documentation, readable formatting, and meaningful additions are always valued.
+
+---
+
+🌱 Why It Matters?
+
+    Your contribution helps other developers explore the ArcGIS ecosystem more easily and discover great learning resources.
+    By contributing here, you’re helping build a trusted reference that supports geospatial developers worldwide.
+
+    Participating in Hacktoberfest isn’t just about earning a badge - it’s about strengthening open collaboration and sharing practical knowledge in the GIS developer community.
+
+---
+
+🤝 Thank You
+
+We appreciate every contributor who takes the time to help improve this repository.
+Even a single pull request - fixing a typo, improving a link, or refining a category - helps make this project stronger.
+
+Welcome aboard, and happy Hacktoberfest! 💚
+Let’s build something awesome together.
+
+---
+